Little Moments That Became A Fic

Chapter 17: A Halloween Surprise: In Which Everyone Loves Nora

"And then we ran into another Bandersnatch," Jervis told the group, hands gesturing wildly. "Can you believe–"

"Everyone shut the fuck up right now," Edward shouted, running into the room and slamming the door shut behind him. It was a secret backroom in the Iceberg Lounge, so slamming the door was not typical behavior. Then again, neither was Edward uttering the words 'shut up'. He looked wildly back and forth across the room. "Is everyone here?"

"Calm down, Edward," Oswald ordered, waddling over. His stern tone had an undercurrent of worry in it. "Whatever's the matter, I doubt there's a valid reason to shout."

"Just... Just humor me for a second, Oz."

"Yes, my boy, we're all here," Oswald told him. "Well, except for Freeze, but no-one's seen him in weeks."

"Yeah, about that..." Edward chuckled nervously. Or not nervously, more stressed? "Victor sent in his RSVP for the Lounge's Halloween party."

"Finally!" Oswald huffed out, shaking his head. "I was afraid he'd skip it this year."

Or that he was dead, no-one added. They'd all been slightly worried he'd perished in a lab accident ever since he went radio silent.

"He's marked a plus one."

And just like that, the remaining conversation in the room stopped. For a moment, no-one even breathed.

A date. Mr. Freeze was bringing a date.

He was finally over Nora.

"Oh, you awful man!" Nora laughed, pushing Freeze. "You didn't tell them about me?"

"I wanted to see the looks on their faces." Freeze laughed, honest-to-god laughed, open and cheerful and pure. He looked at his wife with a dopey sort of expression. "Forgive me, my flower, but I just couldn't resist."

"They are largely a group of idiots who require near constant supervision just to stay alive," Freeze explained. He smiled softly, turning to the offended group as he added, "And they are also the main reason I was able to keep going for these many years without you. They are the greatest friends one could hope for."

"It's such a delight to meet you at last, Ms. Nora!" Jervis chattered happily, bouncing up to her. "Oh, we've heard so much about you!"

"This is Jervis Tetch," Freeze introduced him to Nora. "He is bizarre, but cheerful and good at cheering others. He has often softened the edge of my worst depressions."

"It's a delight to meet you as well, Mr. Tetch," Nora greeted, shaking his hand. "Thank you for helping my husband."

"T'was nothing, my dear," Jervis assured her. He laughed. "And please, call me Jervis or Hatter. No Misters for little old me!"

"This is Jonathan Crane, the Master of Fear," Freeze announced. Jonathan raised his hand in a brief greeting. "Him and Ms. Isley both assisted in my research many times. They were instrumental in your revival."

"Nice to meet you." Isley nodded at her.

"Omigosh omigosh omigooooosh!" Harley squealed. "I can't believed we're meetin' da Mrs. Fries!"

"Does dis mean y're quittin' supervillainry, Vic?" Harley asked

"Well, I was going to," Freeze replied, shrugging. "But turns out that Nora, rather than being horrified by what I've become, absolutely loves the idea. So, she is now both Mrs. Fries and Mrs. Freeze."

They gaped at Nora, who giggled.

"It just sounds like so much fun, you know?" she told them.

"Oh, I like her!" Joker crowed, getting general nods of agreement from all present.

Everyone loved Nora.